When the dogs arrive in Skaguay thirty days after leaving Dawson, they are in terrible shape and utterly exhausted. London writes that the dogs were "worn out and worn down" from the treacherous journey and completely drained when they arrive in town. Buck had lost twenty-five pounds over the course of the journey and the other sled dogs suffered similar weight loss. In addition to losing weight, some of the dogs suffered physical injuries from the arduous journey. Both Pike and Sol-leks injured their legs during the trip and Dub suffers from a wrenched should-blade. Each of the dogs is also footsore and dead tired. The dogs were driven continuously without rest and had traveled the last eighteen hundred miles of the journey with less than five days rest. Overall, the dogs are dead tired and completely exhausted when they arrive at Skaguay.

Upon their arrival in Skaguay, the men and the dogs are very tired and worn down. Buck has lost nearly 25 pounds, and the other dogs had lost weight as well. Pike injured his leg terribly, and Dub has an injured shoulder. The entire group was suffering extreme fatigue.